Reference number: CH000416

Installing a PC IDE/EIDE Zip drive.

Question:

Installing a PC IDE/EIDE Zip drive.

Answer:

Before getting started
Set Jumpers
Drive Bays
Attach cables
BIOS setup
Software setup
Troubleshooting

Before getting started

1. Difficulty of installing computer Zip drive should be a 3 out of 5.
2. Write down important information from the top or bottom of the hard disk drive such as the Model Number, Serial Number and specifications.
3. Ensure you are familiar with ESD and its potential dangers.
4. When physically installing the zip disk drive, ensure the computer is powered down and unplugged.

Set the Jumpers

When installing the IDE/EIDE zip drive ensure that the Zip drive has the proper jumper setting. Generally the Zip drive is set as a Slave device.

Drive Bays

An internal zip drive is always going to occupy or need a 3.5-inch drive bay. If no 3.5-inch drive bay is available, the computer will need both a drive bracket as well as a partial front bezel to cover the empty portion of the front of the Zip disk drive. Drive brackets are generally included with the internal zip disk drive package. If your computer does not accept the drive bracket you may want to consider any of the below recommendations.

1. Contact the computer manufacturer for drive brackets compatible with your computer.
2. Visit a local computer store for alternate brackets.

Note: The front bezel is generally only obtainable through the computer manufacturer.

Links to various computer and hardware manufacturers can be found on our Support Listing.

Attach cables

Once the Zip disk drive has been installed into the computer, connect the IDE/EIDE interface cable to the back of the zip drive. Almost always the red / blue side of the cable represents PIN 1 and is connected with the colored side of the cable facing the power connection.

Once the IDE/EIDE cable has been connected to the back of the Zip drive, connect the power cable to the back of the drive. This cable is almost always keyed and will only go in one direction.

CMOS setup

Once the Zip Drive drive has been connected to the computer, place the case back onto the computer and connect the keyboard, monitor and power to the computer (we recommend that you do not connect all the cables yet, if problems are experienced you may have to disconnect all the cables again).

Because you are installing an IDE/EIDE device, it is generally required that the drive be setup properly within BIOS. Turn on the computer and as the computer is booting enter BIOS setup. In CMOS verify that the IDE/EIDE device is either setup as Auto or is setup as a 100MB HDD. It is important to note that older computers may not properly detect an IDE/EIDE device and it may be required that a BIOS update be obtained.

Additional help and information about BIOS can be found on our BIOS page.

Software Setup

Once the drive has installed and setup within BIOS and/or is detected by BIOS, the Zip disk drive should have been included with a CD / Floppy or Zip disk to install the software for the drive. Note: for computer users that have Microsoft Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME or above the drive will likely be detected and installed for you automatically, but the default installation will not install the Iomega Tools.

Drivers for the Iomega Zip drives can be found on our Removable / Tape Drive drivers page.

Troubleshooting

If additional issues are encountered during or after the installation of the IDE Zip drive, please refer to our main Zip drive page for additional help and information.